Career:
Jon Batiste was born in Kenner, Louisiana, into a long line of musicians, including Lionel Batiste and Harold Battiste. At the age of 8, he played percussion and drums with his family's band, the Batiste Brothers Band. At his mother's suggestion, he switched to piano at the age of 11. Jon developed his piano skills by taking classical music lessons and transcribing songs from video games such as Street Fighter Alpha, Final Fantasy VII and Sonic the Hedgehog.
At 17, Batiste released Times in New Orleans. He attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts with Trombone Shorty and graduated in 2004 before going on to receive a bachelor's and master's degree from the Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, he released his second album Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art, and by the end of 2006, had been a featured performer in South Africa, London, Lisbon, Spain, Paris and the United States.
In 2007, Batiste made his debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam at the age of 20, both producing and performing his own show. He conducted music clinics, classes and workshops throughout Netherlands in inner city schools and underprivileged neighborhoods. He was invited back to Carnegie Hall to produce and perform in his own show including six young musicians from the Netherlands. The performance concluded with a finale he composed for choir, jazz combo and orchestral instruments. In the year following, Batiste released a number of music projects including Social Music (2013) which spent over a month at the top of the Billboard and iTunes jazz charts, "The Late Show EP" (2016) with Stay Human and a holiday album "Christmas with Jon Batiste" (2016). In 2017, he released the singles "Ohio" with Leon Bridges and Gary Clark Jr. as well as "Battle Hymn of the Republic" for The Atlantic. Batise's debut solo album Hollywood Africans was released under Verve Records in September 2018. "Don't Stop" served as the lead single. Leading up to the album release, Batiste completed a Summer Festival tour across the U.S. with The Dap-Kings.
Batiste's notable career performances include a tribute to Chuck Berry and Fats Domino during the 60th annual Grammy Awards (performing alongside Gary Clark Jr.), the Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to Carmen De Lavallade, the Concert for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama as well as the National Anthem at the 2017 NBA All Star Game and Opening Night of the 2017 US Open. He has curated the Global Citizen Advocacy Concert with Tom Morello and the Louis Armstrong Wonderful World Festival in Queens, N.Y. Batiste is currently signed with Mick Management.
Stay Human.
In 2005, Batiste began performing regularly around the New York music scene with his Juilliard peers, bassist Phil Kuehn and drummer Joe Saylor. He later added Eddie Barbash on alto saxophone and Ibanda Ruhumbika on tuba. Batiste named the band Stay Human, which draws its moniker from the belief that human interaction during a live musical performance can uplift humanity in the midst of the "plug in/tune out" nature of modern society. The band leads impromptu street performances, which Batiste calls "love riots."
In 2011, Stay Human released the album MY N.Y., which was recorded in its entirety on New York City Subway trains, an idea that came to Batiste after questioning how to connect with people.
On April 22, 2017, the band played for the March for Science rally at the Washington Monument in Washington D.C.
Television and film:
In 2014, Batiste and Stay Human appeared on The Colbert Report to perform the group's single, "Express Yourself", written and produced with Austin Bis. On June 4, 2015, it was announced that the group would serve as house band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The show premiered on CBS on September 8, 2015. On the show, Batiste and Stay Human have performed alongside Billy Joel, Will Smith, Wynton Marsalis, John Legend, Grace Vanderwaal, and Nas.
Batiste was cast in the HBO television series Treme, appearing in seasons 2, 3 and 4. He was also cast as T.K. Hazelton in director Spike Lee's film Red Hook Summer and composed and performed the Hammond B-3 organ music that was a part of the film score. Other film scores composed by Batiste include the television documentary Duke 91 & 92: Back to Back and the short film Melody of Choice. He also appears in the film Thrive by Paul Szynol.
Miscellaneous.
Batiste was included in the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 music list and was named Grand Marshal of Endymion Parade in New Orleans in 2018. He has been awarded the American Jazz Museum Lifetime Achievement Award, the Harry Chapin ASCAP Humanitarian Award and the Movado Future Legend Award. In May 2017, Batiste received an honorary degree from Salve Regina University for his musical achievements and contributions to Newport's 2014 International Jazz Day.
Batiste has been featured in campaigns for Chase Bank, Apple Watch, Lincoln Continental, and numerous fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Barneys, Nordstrom, Frye Boots and Bonobos.
In April 2022, his album 'We Are' won Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, making Batiste the first Black artist to win the award since Herbie Hancock in 2008.
Discography
Times in New Orleans (2005)
Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art (2006)
In the Night (2008)
The Amazing Jon Batiste! (2009)
MY N.Y. EP (2011) with Stay Human
Social Music (2013) with Stay Human
The Process (2014) with Chad Smith and Bill Laswell
The Late Show EP (2016) with Stay Human
Christmas with Jon Batiste (2016)
Music of Johny Lewis (2017) with Wynton Marsalis
Hollywood Africans (2018)
SING
Jon Batiste Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't feel like tryin′
But instead, I'll sing, yeah
But instead, I'll sing
When I′m done with worries
And no one′s around me
Don't you know, I′ll sing, yeah
Oh, I love to sing
When I can't find the words
And everything starts to hurt
I′m done with this heavy heart
I let all my burdens off
And I sing
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Sing!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Sing! (I love to sing, uh)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (sing out! That's what I′m talkin' 'bout)
Sing!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (yeah, yeah)
Oh-oh-oh-oh
When I′m cold and tired
And so uninspired
Don′t you know, I'll sing, yeah
Let it out and sing
When I′m down, and I feel like giving up
Even the easy things feel rough
Don't you know, I′ll sing, yeah
Don't you know, I′ll sing
When I feel down and out
Up under a heavy cloud
When I don't wanna talk
I lay my burdens off
And I sing, oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Sing!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh (let it out and sing)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh (sing!)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (let it out)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (get it out)
Sing! (That's what I′m talkin′ 'bout ′bout, 'bout)
Sing!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (ow!)
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Sing! (I got to let it out)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (that′s what I'm talkin′ 'bout)
Sing!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
Sing!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh
In Jon Batiste's "SING," the singer finds solace in singing when life is tough. The chorus emphasizes this idea, with the repetition of "sing" acting as a directive to the listener. The verses give examples of different situations where singing helps, whether it's feeling tired, sad, or uninspired. The line "when I can't find the words and everything starts to hurt" suggests that singing can express emotions that might not come out in everyday speech.
This song celebrates the healing power of music. Sometimes, we don't have the words to express how we feel, but a melody and a rhythm can do it for us. Singing can be cathartic and release emotions we might not even realize we were holding onto. The upbeat tempo, hand clapping, and repetition of the word "sing" make the song itself feel like a call to action, inviting the listener to let go of their worries and join in.
Overall, "SING" is a reminder that music can help us get through hard times. It's not always easy to find the words to express ourselves, but singing can offer a release and a way to heal.
Line by Line Meaning
On the verge of cryin'
Almost crying, feeling emotional
I don't feel like tryin'
Not motivated to try
But instead, I'll sing, yeah
To cope with emotions, I'll sing
When I'm done with worries
After dealing with worries
And no one's around me
When I'm alone
Don't you know, I'll sing, yeah
I'll sing, as an outlet for emotions
Oh, I love to sing
Singing brings me joy
When I can't find the words
When I can't express myself verbally
And everything starts to hurt
Feeling overwhelmed with emotions
I'm done with this heavy heart
I'm tired of carrying emotional weight
I let all my burdens off
I release my worries
And I sing
I use singing as a form of release
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Vocalization
Sing!
Exclamation to sing
When I'm cold and tired
Feeling physically depleted
And so uninspired
Lacking creativity or motivation
Don't you know, I'll sing, yeah
Singing helps me feel better
Let it out and sing
Express emotions through singing
When I'm down, and I feel like giving up
Feeling low and unmotivated
Even the easy things feel rough
Simple tasks seem difficult
Don't you know, I'll sing, yeah
Singing is my outlet
When I feel down and out
When I'm feeling low
Up under a heavy cloud
Overwhelmed by emotions
When I don't wanna talk
When I don't feel like communicating verbally
I lay my burdens off
I release my worries
And I sing, oh
I use singing as an outlet
Sing! (I got to let it out)
Exclamation to sing
(That's what I'm talkin' 'bout)
Expressing agreement with singing as a release
Sing!
Exclamation to sing
Writer(s): Autumn Rowe, Eric Frederic, Zachary Cooper, Victor Dimotsis, Jon Batiste
Contributed by Hunter F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@linetterobinson8513
Smiling the whole time listening..Just Wow!! I'm here because of his Grammy win.. never heard of him before until now...I'm a fan now
@johnjohnson1250
He's a musical beast. Learned about him because of Stephen Colbert. Been the band leader for a couple years.
@jco6528
@John Johnson Same here. He is a treasure this man. So talented.
@shonmawilson3858
Same
@viqueo.kahinju6541
Lol. Me too.
@amandawilliams1075
I think he's great...and wonder why he's not more known....Today I'm blaring..🎶🎶Freedom🇺🇲🎶♥️🇺🇲
@julieherget348
Jon, you are such a positive force in this world that needs healing. You give me hope and inspiration. 😍😍😍
@user-pe1lk2ip7o
https://youtu.be/6IodtiM1ulUد
@shayariEshq
True 👍 this is great 👍 watched you both on the morning show 👏👍
@zenatman
I love batiste....but...His positive is completely combated with his encouraging people to get stabbed. Fax